IDENTIFICATION OF MUCONIC ACIDS IN BLEACH PLANT EFFLUENT

Muconic acids derived from guaiacol (4) were identified in ethyl aceta te extracts of samples of effluents from 100% chlorine dioxide bleachi ng. Concentrations were estimated to be in the range 7.5-26 g/tonne. C hlorinated muconic acids derived from guaiacol were not found, but oth er muconic acids are likely present, both in the low molecular mass fr action and as moieties in the high molecular mass material. The isomer s 5a and 5b were also obtained in the reaction of guaiacol (4) with ch lorine dioxide but were not found in the effluent samples.